Afghanistan's Justice Ministry has proposed reintroducing public stoning for convicted adulterers, possibly restoring a punishment in force during the Taliban's brutal rule.

Human Rights Watch and Afghan officials said Monday the sentence for married adulterers - along with flogging for unmarried offenders - appears in a draft revision of the country's penal code.

The U.S.-based rights group urged the Afghan government to reject the proposal, and said international donors should send a clear message that including stoning in Afghan law would have an immediate adverse effect on funding for the government.

Billions have been spent promoting human rights in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban, and donors fear that hard won progress - particularly for women - may be eroding.